maia

About 20% of our CO₂ comes from how we travel

In Aotearoa New Zealand, about 20% of our CO₂ comes from how we travel – from the exhaust pipes of vehicles when we burn petrol and diesel. That’s huge!

We live in all sorts of places – cities, countryside, and everything in between, so this means we travel in different ways. Sometimes, we have no choice but to use a car, especially in rural areas. But often, we do have options.

Bus

Think about how you and your mates get to school. Some might ride in a car, sharing with friends or family. Others might walk, zoom in on bikes or scooters, feeling the wind in their hair (well, under their helmets of course). And some might even take a ferry – how cool is that?

When we choose to walk, cycle, scooter, or travel by public transport like buses, trains, or ferries, we help the planet by releasing less carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. It's like giving Papatūānuku (Mother Earth) a big hug.

Modes of transport